Who is winning Ohio governor race? Can Vivek Ramaswamy win the race amid past controversies and backlash over Amy Acton ad?

In Ohio, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy is in a competitive race against Democrat Amy Acton. President Donald Trump and GOP Gov. Mike DeWine, who is term limited, have endorsed Ramaswamy. Voters headed to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, to decide who will succeed outgoing Republican Governor Mike DeWine, who cannot seek another term because of term limits.

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Who is winning Ohio governor race?

The Ohio governor race is being closely watched and has emerged as one of the closely watched contests in the 2026 US midterm elections, with Republican Vivek Ramaswamy facing Democratic candidate Amy Acton. According to the latest available election tracker, no official vote leader could be confirmed. Decision Desk HQ's results page showed zero votes counted for both Ramaswamy and Acton, although its forecast model gave Acton a 63% win probability. Ohio polls closed at 7:30 pm EST on Tuesday and results are expected to be announced soon.


"It is my Great Honor to endorse America First Patriot, Vivek Ramaswamy, who is running for Governor of the Great State of Ohio, a place I love and WON BIG, THREE TIMES, in 2016, 2020, and 2024! I know Vivek well, competed against him, and he is something SPECIAL. He is Young, Strong, and Smart! Vivek is also a very good person, who truly loves our Country. His opponent, Amy Acton, is a Radical Left Dumocrat who wants massive Tax Increases, Open Borders, Men playing in Women's Sports, and Transgender Mutilization of your Children. Amy Acton is Reckless, Radical, and Dangerous! On the other hand, as your next Governor, Vivek will fight tirelessly to Grow the Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Champion American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our now very Secure Border, SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Strengthen our Military/Veterans, Ensure LAW AND ORDER, Advance Election Integrity, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment. Vivek Ramaswamy has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Governor of the Great State of Ohio. GET OUT AND VOTE FOR VIVEK — HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN! President DONALD J. TRUMP," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

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Voters can expect to see the first results shortly after 7:30 p.m. Absentee ballots are the first votes counted, according to the Secretary of State's office.

Controversy over Ramaswamy's campaign advertisement

Another reason why Ohio governor race is grabbing eyeballs is due to controversial advertisement released by Ramaswamy's campaign featuring Acton's estranged mother. In the ad campaign, Donna Arthur — the mother whom Acton says she has not seen since her then-stepfather was charged with raping her as a young child nearly 50 years ago — calls her daughter a liar and urges Ohioans not to vote for her. The ad does not address details of the rape case. But critics panned the Ramaswamy campaign’s decision to use Arthur as a character witness and dredge up painful family history. In the advertisement, Acton's mother criticised her daughter and urged voters not to support her. The advertisement triggered criticism across party lines, with even Republican Governor Mike DeWine expressing disapproval.

Acton's mother accused her daughter of lying about her political opponent and past, but they hadn't talked since Acton was 12 years old. The ad prompted condemnation from politicians across the country, but both President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance defended Ramaswamy. The president even expressed jealousy that he’d never had the opportunity to run such an attack against a political rival.

In the final weeks of the election, Trump and Vance barnstormed Ohio to boost turnout amid national anti-GOP sentiment. Former President Barack Obama campaigned for Acton and Brown in Cleveland.

What happens if Amy Acton wins Ohio governor race?

This race is also crucial for Ohio's history books. If Acton prevails, she would be the first Democrat elected Ohio governor in two decades and the first woman. If the Trump-endorsed Ramaswamy wins, he will be the first Indian-American to hold the seat.

Both leading candidates put economic issues at the heart of their campaigns, but offered sharply different solutions to voters’ pains.

Ramaswamy presented his success in business as something he could replicate as Ohio’s governor — putting more wealth in people’s pockets by phasing out Ohio’s income tax, rolling back property taxes, cracking down on Medicaid fraud and requiring AI data centers to pay neighboring residents’ electricity bills.

Acton, who described spending a portion of her childhood homeless, blasted Ramaswamy as a “self-serving billionaire” whose actions as a candidate — including frequent use of a private jet for campaign stops and a trip to Paris on July Fourth — showed that he was out of touch with the financial struggles of average Ohioans.

She targeted her affordability agenda at tax cuts and credits for middle- and lower-income residents, and said she would direct taxes collected from wealthier Ohioans toward improving schools, lowering healthcare costs and other priorities. Acton said any new data centers must cover their own utility costs, use all-union labor and not pave over farmland.

(With AP inputs)